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8-Bit Adventures 2

8-Bit Adventures 2

Critical Games · released Jan 31, 2023

AdventureIndieRPG

Pilot your Airship, prepare your party, and explore a vast World Map in 8-Bit Adventures 2, an exciting, emotional tribute to the Golden Age of JRPGs. Dynamic turn-based battles & pixels with personality!

87
VGC Score
·No trend datamedium confidence

anchored at patch: “Update for the 19th of January 2025” (1y ago)

84%
At launch
96%
Steam all-time
84%
Press
96%
Recent sentiment

Screenshots & trailers

Review sentiment over time

Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.

How this score was computed

The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.

ComponentPositiveQuality (0-100)Weight (pseudo-reviews)
Press reviews (OpenCritic)8421
All-time Steam reviews96%91156
Metacritic user ratings0
Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted)96%9176
Calibration prior (typical game)7250

Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Jan 19, 2025) · 76 reviews sampled · 73 total reviews in window · weighted 57.5 up / 2.6 down · computed 5h ago · full methodology →

Press & Creators reviews (18)

Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.

  • 90
    trust 78Dec 3, 2024

    Every little detail in 8-Bit Adventures 2 combines to deliver a nostalgic yet modern RPG experience. Its RPG mechanics are modern yet classic, which are easy to understand, and the combat has enough depth to keep you immersed in the game. The story pulls you into the world and it is also one of the reasons why you keep coming back to it and completing it. For around 40-45 hours, 8-Bit Adventures 2 can easily keep you occupied with its beautiful, pixelated visuals, a solid soundtrack, and excellent combat. If you love playing RPGs from the early 90s when visuals were pixelated and gameplay mechanics were deep, 8-Bit Adventures 2 is a great game for you to jump into because it will keep you busy for hours to come with its expansive world and a cool airship to travel around.

    read full review ↗
  • 70
    trust 76Nov 20, 2024

    8-Bit Adventures 2 is an exquisitely crafted RPG epic that any fan of classic (and we mean classic) RPGs will appreciate for its adherence to the conventions of games of the era. With gorgeous pixel art, a satisfying battle style with as much challenge as variety, and a story that both honours and subverts RPG tropes, there's so much to love. However, it doesn't always respect your time and the lack of some modern conveniences - auto-battle, an auto-scroll for dialogue, any real way to point you towards your goal or remind you of the story so far - could make this a journey that many get lost on before reaching the end.

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    trust 74Mar 1, 2023

    Critical Games’ 8-Bit Adventures 2 successfully finds this line by blending quality-of-life aspects with an enjoyable turn-based combat system while following a beacon of heart and charm.

    read full review ↗
  • 88
    trust 70Oct 16, 2024

    A very accessible and enjoyable adventure with a classic 8-bit RPG look, feel, and perspective

    read full review ↗
  • 90
    trust 70Oct 16, 2024

    8-Bit Adventures 2 is a blast. The game is fun and charming, easily doing the hard work of winning over and keeping the player hooked. All this, I must say, while paying a beautiful homage to titles from past eras. If you're looking for a cool RPG to pass the time, go for it. You won't regret it.

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    trust 69Nov 20, 2024

    Really, it's 8-Bit Adventures 2's straightforward, but tidily balanced gameplay that ties the package together. Turn-based combat is, of course, the order of the day, with each party member bringing their own unique abilities to the fray.

    read full review ↗
  • 70
    trust 69Nov 27, 2024

    The vibrant use of color and variety of settings help make adventure maintain momentum once it gets going, but it's hard not to see the finished product as needing a good trim. If you need to explain what a save point does in a game tailormade for RPG fans, then you aren't really respecting the time of your target audience. There's a really enjoyable 20-30 hours here if you cut out a portion of the early game and the over-tutorializing, but in a year of incredible additions to the RPG genre, 8-Bit Adventures 2 is a tougher sell.

    read full review ↗
  • 85
    trust 66Oct 14, 2024

    A game in a crowded genre that stands out by simply being very, very good

    read full review ↗
  • 100
    trust 65Oct 23, 2024

    8-Bit Adventures 2 is a story-driven RPG that feels like the classics in the genre. It is now available on all platforms, so you need to check it out!

    read full review ↗
  • 90
    trust 64Jan 29, 2023

    8 Bit Adventures 2 is a very great game albeit with some balancing issues with bosses. The characters were very memorable and had lovingly written dialogue with distinct styles for everyone. As well as the Glitch being a very fleshed-out Villain. The game shines the brightest in its combat, and exploration of the varied and unique locales. As well as the challenging bosses with their contributions to the tale. It is an easy recommendation due to its classical yet thrilling journey.

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    trust 64Oct 15, 2024

    8-Bit Adventures 2 is easily my favourite RPG surprise of the year. Going in, I expected another formulaic RPG Maker project, but instead, I was met with a heartfelt plot and deep, engaging gameplay. I absolutely recommend this game for fans of the genre, but even newcomers will find it welcoming while still offering a satisfying challenge. If you’re looking for your next long-term game project, look no further.

    read full review ↗
  • 85
    trust 63Jan 29, 2023

    8-Bit Adventures 2 is a beautifully made and well-written tribute to the JRPGs we know and love.

    read full review ↗

…and 6 more tracked reviews.

Patch history

  1. Update for the 19th of January 2025
    Jan 19, 2025significant · resets scoring window
  2. Free DLC Out Now + Daily Deal + Physical Pre-Orders End Soon!
    Jan 15, 2025significant · resets scoring window
  3. New PC Update + Console Release Date Reveal Trailer!
    Sep 11, 2024significant · resets scoring window
  4. Update for the 6th of June 2024
    Jun 6, 2024significant · resets scoring window
  5. Spring Sale + Update for 15th of March 2024 + Console Progress!
    Mar 15, 2024significant · resets scoring window
  6. Update for the 20th of February 2024
    Feb 20, 2024significant · resets scoring window
  7. We Need Your Nomination + Autumn Sale!
    Nov 21, 2023significant · resets scoring window
  8. April Fools' Day 8-Bit Adventures 2 Update!
    Apr 1, 2023significant · resets scoring window
  9. Spring Sale Steam Discounts for the 8-Bit Adventures Series!
    Mar 17, 2023significant · resets scoring window
  10. Update for February 17th
    Feb 17, 2023significant · resets scoring window
  11. Update for February 16th
    Feb 16, 2023significant · resets scoring window
  12. Update for February 10th
    Feb 10, 2023significant · resets scoring window
  13. Thank You, Free DLC Tease, Steam Deck, & Trading Cards!
    Feb 4, 2023significant · resets scoring window
  14. Minor Update #1
    Feb 2, 2023
  15. 8-Bit Adventures 2 PC Release Date + Day of the Devs!
    Nov 5, 2022significant · resets scoring window
  16. Day of the Devs + Release Date Pre-Announcement!
    Oct 26, 2022significant · resets scoring window
  17. August 2022 Update - Filling Everyone In!
    Aug 10, 2022significant · resets scoring window
  18. 8-Bit Adventures 2 at Steam Next Fest Feb 2022!
    Feb 21, 2022significant · resets scoring window
  19. July Update - 8-Bit Adventures 2 at DreamHack Beyond TODAY!
    Jul 24, 2021significant · resets scoring window
  20. April Update - Steam Festival Plans + New Demo Coming!
    May 4, 2020significant · resets scoring window
  21. March Update - Personal Message + Progress, Progress, Progress!
    Apr 1, 2020significant · resets scoring window

…and 14 earlier patch announcements.